DOLE drafts own version of measure creating OFW department

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has drafted its own version of the measure seeking to create the Department of Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) — one of the priority legislation of President Rodrigo Duterte.

During the joint meeting of the House Committees on Government Reorganizations, and Overseas Workers Affairs, Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III presented the features of his agency's version of the measure.

He said that for the longest time, the DOLE has not been given any position on the creation of the OFW department, as it is one of the agencies that will be "immensely" affected by such move.

"The two-fold objectives of this (DOLE's version) is to show support to the President's call and to ensure the continuing protection and promotion of the welfare and rights of our migrant workers and overseas Filipinos," Bello said.

Under the DOLE's version of the measure, the Department of OFW will be headed by a secretary, assisted by four undersecretaries and four assistance secretaries.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA), Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), and the National Reintegration Center for OFWs (NRCO) will be attached to the OFW department.

Meanwhile, the International Labor Affairs Bureau, Commission on Filipino Overseas, social welfare attache under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, pertinent offices of the Maritime Industry Authority, will oversee matters related to the training, certification, setting up and monitoring standards concerning international seafarers.

At the same time, one-stop shops and Malasakit Centers will be established in the regional, provincial, and municipal level.

Bello pointed out that the DOLE version of the measure will push for the retention of the juridical personalities of the POEA, OWWA and NRCO so that there will be seamless transactions and smooth continuation of their services.

"In view of the foregoing, we fully support the creation of the department devoted to our overseas Filipinos," he added.

The House joint panels approved the creation of technical working group to thresh out and consolidate the 31 measures seeking to create the OFW department.

Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, an author of one of these measures, said that while the creation of the Department of OFW will not be a "cure all," it will still be a "giant step in the right direction." — RSJ, GMA News